Yoshimichi Hara

Who was Yoshimichi Hara?

Yoshimichi Hara was a Japanese statesman and the president of the Japanese privy council during World War II, from June 1940 until his death. Hara was always reluctant to use military force. In particular, he protested against the outbreak of the Pacific war at Gozen Kaigi. Although Hara was president of the privy council, he had very little political control, since almost all political power was concentrated in war cabinets.

After his death, Hara was decorated with the posthumous title of Imperial Baron. He was the last commoner to become part of the Japanese aristocracy.